Another root question

[Daemos]

Since I have put my vanda under artificial light it started looking better the first week but now some roots started dying suddenly within one day. Is this supposed to happen. Am I Killing the plant?? Humidity is 60-65% right now and the roots get misted firmly 3 times a day. Plant gets submerged in water with a small amount of fertilizer every week for about half an hour.

Temperature has also raised from 15 C to 20 C within 2 days.

What causes root death or root growth. How does light play a major role in all of this. You can trow scientific terms at me.

This plant is starting too ask too much of me. It got its own lightsource, fertilizer. Whats next Im not giving up yet so help me out.

[Jo Ann]

Originally Posted by Daemos

This plant is starting too ask too much of me. It got its own lightsource, fertilizer. Whats next Im not giving up yet so help me out.

I know how you feel sometimes they act just like kids gimeee, gimeee… with me the vandas gave no problems it was the cattleyas that had me pulling my hair out…I think me and the catts have finally come to an understanding… so dont give up..

[CodiMN]

Totally good question! As I'm still pretty new with vandas (and I'm experiementing and building up roots as well) I would want to check with one of the other members... Might be a humidity thing, might be a tantrum. Let's see what the experts say!

[Ocelaris]

with higher light levels, you're going to have higher transpiration (evaporation of water through the leaves). So more moisture will be leaving the plant, and a significant amount of their stored moisture is in the roots.

I soak my vandas every day for half an hour in weak fertilizer and they're loving it, humidity is about the same 60-70%. maybe try soaking a little more frequently. (Ok, not EVERY day, but whenever I get home at least an hour before lights out at 9pm).

Misting is only slightly helpful if the plant isn't receptive. You really really have to drench them so the vellum gets translucent and you can see the green through them. If it's not soaking through the vellum, the plant isn't absorbing the moisture. If you can get the plant to accept mistings, great, but assume it'll need a soaking every few days in order to keep the vellum thin enough so it will accept those mistings.

When the plant is not getting enough moisture, it will make a harder vellum, hence harder to get the moisture into the plant, which requires a prolonged soak. Then the next couple days you can probably mist and the vellum isn't going to be as tough to get through.

Those are just my thoughts, my new Gordon Dillon agrees with those sentiments, I got it with tons of skinny little dessicated roots, and after daily soaks for a few weeks it's sprouting a humongous root just like the 2x Princess Mikasa that I have.

With higher light levels, you have increased nutrient and moisture demands, so you'll have to tailor your waterings to meet those demands. But you're then rewarded with a much healthier plant, greater growth rates etc...

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[Jo Ann]

Sorry guys I know I’m not much help since I grow mine outside..I have absolutely no knowledge on indoor lighting and such…basically mine are left outside in direct morning sun and some afternoon shade if nature doesnt supply rain then I water them every other day or two.. if I have time I give them a good soaking in the sink for at least 30 minutes to an hour if not I just run the hose over them but I always make sure the roots turn green...other then that they dont fuss at all for me...

[Daemos]

I think I got it. You are so right. I now started spraying the roots thouroughly (they really start dripping water when im done) and it seems the plant does like it. Also the leathery cracks in the leaves are going away. The dead roots somehow are reviving. Thank you all so much for the help. I will also start soaking more and see what happens.